On Sunday, Muslims around the world have begun fasting for this holy month. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon. The word Ramadan originates from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, during the day they refrain from consuming food, drinking any liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual behaviour. Some may also refrain from swearing. Food and drink is consumed before sunrise, the first meal they have is meant to hold them for the whole day, breaking the fast at sunset. Fasting is compulsory for most adult Muslims, however those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding are allowed to opt out.
HuffPost Religion has created an infographic to show how long the fast will last in cities around the world, by calculating the time between Fajr and Maghrib. Check it out below:
